Sunday, January 08, 2017

FRISCO, Texas (STATS) -- James Madison played all season as if it knew something the rest of the FCS didn't know, but on Saturday, there was no denying who's the best team in the nation.

Sorry, Fargo, it's all purple reign this season.

Bryan Schor threw for two touchdowns and Khalid Abdullah rushed for 101 yards and two scores as the CAA Football champion Dukes handled Youngstown State 28-14 to claim the program's second FCS national title before 14,423 at Toyota Stadium.

The Dukes' fans reveled throughout the one-sided game, and why not considering their team's accomplishments. Having already ended North Dakota State's five-year national championship run in the semifinals, the Dukes (14-1) beat their chest in the final -- and some Youngstown State ball carriers as well -- to complete coach Mike Houston's first season with a national title. They previously won in 2004.

"This team won (a JMU-record) 14 games this year," Houston said. "They went undefeated in CAA play. They beat North Dakota State at North Dakota State. They won a national championship on a big stage. I think they go as the best team in JMU history -- hands down."

"This," senior linebacker Gage Steele said, "is going to be a moment that we talk about for the rest of our lives."

Coming into the season, James Madison simply wanted to win one playoff game, let alone the four it took as the No. 4 seed. The Dukes underachieved in the last two postseasons, losing at home in their opening game. But after Houston arrived from The Citadel, he demanded more discipline and physical play out of the Dukes, and they eventually molded into the most complete team in the FCS.

Losing only to FBS team North Carolina in mid-September, the Dukes won their final 12 games behind a physical run game, an athletic, opportunistic defense and a deadly return game.

It was all on display against Youngstown State (12-4), which sought to add to its four national titles in the 1990s. James Madison controlled the surge at the line of scrimmage -- offensively and defensively -- which allowed Schor and Abdullah to feed off each other and Steele (two sacks) to swarm Youngstown State quarterback Hunter Wells.

The Dukes made big plays early to grab control of the game.

Justin Wellons' blocked punt to end Youngstown State's first drive set up the Dukes at the Penguins' 18-yard line. Two plays later, Schor threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonathan Kloosterman (his fifth TD catch of the playoffs) at the 11:20 mark.

A poor YSU punt then gave the Dukes the ball at midfield. Abdullah cut back for a 30-yard run before Schor connected with Rashard Davis for an 18-yard touchdown pass, making it 14-0 with 9:37 left.

"Obviously, it didn't start the way we wanted," Youngstown State coach Bo Pelini said.

"This isn't a time to point fingers."

In the second quarter, Schor and his wide receivers picked apart the YSU secondary for four completions as part of an eight-play, 87-yard drive that was capped by Abdullah's 1-yard touchdown run, which extended the Dukes' lead to 21-0 with 8:17 remaining.

While Youngstown State closed within 21-7 before halftime on Wells' 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Shane Kuhn, the unseeded Penguins' hopes for a comeback ended early in the second half. On the third play, a Wells pass deflected high into the air and cornerback Curtis Oliver intercepted it at the Youngstown State 47. The Dukes then steamrolled downfield in six plays, with Abdullah scoring from two yards out for his 25th touchdown of the season, making it 28-7.

Abdullah, named the game's most outstanding player, finished the season with 1,809 rushing yards, a James Madison record.

"It means everything," Abdullah said. "It just means that all the dreams and goals we had team came to fruition."

Youngstown State, averaging 257.5 rushing yards, didn't solve the Dukes' defensive front, which turned the Penguins one-dimensional in the second half. Wells (28 of 47, 281 yards) threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Wells with 10 seconds left to tighten the final score at 28-14, but the game wasn't that close.

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49 rules to being a super fan at Long Beach State.

I have moved on with my life. These days, I do sportswriting for FanSided and Administrative Assistant work for the Long Beach Bar Foundation. But before that time, I went through two and a half years as a student at Long Beach State, and after I got my degree, I passed these rules to the current group of students, as well as for those to come. My priorities have changed. But people on campus still call me "Super Fan," even though I am now more comfortable being called by my real name, "J.R."

Of course there will be people who will discredit these rules, and there will be those will try to smear me, calling me a "sell-out," "self-serving," and all this intimidating drivel. And there will also be those who will call me a hypocrite for not following them when I show up at home games (which are now few and far between). That's expected when you're doing something else, and your priorities have changed. You know, these rules aren't for me. They are for you. If you are reduced to smearing me and these important rules, that means I win and you lose and you're gonna have to own that to the grave.

So, as a proud alumnus (Class of 2008), I offer these rules to those who are now going through their academic journey at CSULB. These 49 Rules are as shown below.

1. Be a current student at The Beach

2. Wear CSULB logo apparel to classes at least once a week.

3. Talk freely about the athletic teams.

4. Come to all home games unless there is a class or an engagement of equal importance.

14. Conduct the home crowd during the 7th inning stretch at Dirtbags home games.

15. If you have class, go to class and learn.

16. Strive for excellence in academics because you will go pro in something other than sports.

17. Support the Associated Students Inc., president's and Executive Board's actions.

18. Support ASI in general.

19. Make it a priority to go to as many postseason games as possible.

20. Go on any road game trips the Beach Pride Center hosts.

21. Support all Long Beach State teams, even those that are not NCAA-governed.

22. Go to home games that feature teams that fall under Rule 21.

23. When the Beach Band is performing, let your creative mind loose and dance to the music.

24. Don't be afraid to scream and be loud during all matches.

25. During basketball games, ask the students to bounce up and down when they are on defense.

26. During volleyball games, cue the cheer (Go Beach, Long Beach State, etc) while the opponent is serving.

27. Have a staunch appreciation for the Black and Blue Rivalry series.

28. Detest UC Irvine unless it's outside of sports, in which case you detest them even more.

29. Drink high-energy drinks before all home games. We need you pumped.

30. Join one of the clubs in your respective college.

31. Join a club that is not in your college but interests you.

32. If there are Big West teams other than Long Beach State in an NCAA Tournament, support them to show solidarity.

33. Shun those who lie to you about the outcome of a game. Tell them they will only be redeemed if the team wins the conference title or qualifies for postseason play.

34. Memorize the fight song.

35. Memorize the alma mater.

36. Say a prayer before a home game on the Beach Plaza by the track, and say it again after a victory.

37. Help those who need assistance with homework, etc., but not in a way that allows them to cheat on assignments.

38. Stroke the Maxson Plaza sign on the way to class, for those words are truth and life, as the motto "vox veritas vita" implies.

39. Speak the truth as a way of life.

40. If there is an important event in Long Beach, wear CSULB logo apparel.

41. For other events in Southern California, wear CSULB logo apparel.

42. Exercise your body, as well as your mind.

43. Say hello to students who say hello to you.

44. Take part in student elections.

45. If people ask for signatures for a measure, put yourself on the list.

46. At home games, be sure to bring university pennants, pompoms, foam fingers and other logo merchandise. Having plush versions of the Beach letter, Prospector Pete and Wally Pyramid can't hurt.

47. Prospector Pete is your boss. Always refer to him as "Boss," because you are his right-hand person. Whatever he says, you must do.

48. Graduate on time and celebrate your successes in the classrooms.

49. Pass these rules to the next Super Fan and wish him or her success in the role. Make sure that person is right for the job, and be certain the Beach Pride Program approves of your dirty deeds done in the name of The Beach.

And those are the 49 rules. Sometimes I fail to follow them, and I take the flak for it. Sometimes others will fail to follow them, and they take the flak. The important thing is to understand that it's not easy to stay strong when times get tough, and it can even be impossible, but it's always important to pick yourself up, and come back ready to support your teams no matter where you are, because they feed off your energy.

As for me, I won't be there to see it, but then again I don't need to, because it's already happening.GO BEACH!